Hedge fund assets under management grew by US$4.5 billion in December, bringing the 2009 hedge fund industry total assets to $1.48 trillion. The Eurekahedge Hedge Fund Index gained a healthy 1.06% in the month to end 2009 on a positive note, bringing the yearly returns to 19.38% – the best annual gains since 2003. The positive performance during the month was delivered amid increased risk appetite, which pushed global equity markets higher – the MSCI World Index gained 1.69% while the S&P 500 was up by 1.93%.

Source: Eurekahedge